UK cleantech start-ups embark on US trade mission

Sixteen of the most innovative clean technology companies in the UK have been selected to attend the Clean and Cool Mission 2015 in San Francisco, in a bid to break into the US market.

Previous attendees have secured more than £550m investment to date

The week-long Mission, organised by Innovate UK and taking place later this month, is the fifth since 2010. The 64 companies that have been on the four previous Missions have secured more than £550m of investment since returning to the UK.

Selected companies this time around include those whose innovations 'target the most pressing climate challenges' including efficient energy generation for off-grid communities, ways of reducing CO2 emissions and bio-jet technology for cleaner air travel.

Among the attendees will be Sustainability Leaders Awards finalist BBOXX; to showcase its plug-and-play solar power systems to improve access to energy in the developing world.

Also attending is biodiesel supplier, Green Fuels Research, with its low-cost and energy efficient bio-aviation fuel for use in jet engines and solar company, Renovagen, with its pre-wired, transportable solar panels capable of generating 10 times more power than current solutions.

Huge potential

Innovate UK's director of technology and innovation Kevin Baughan said: "With San Francisco at the heart of the cleantech ecosystem in the US, the Clean and Cool Mission is a fantastic opportunity for UK businesses to showcase their innovative technologies and identify growth opportunities in this thriving industry."

"The level of investment achieved by previous Mission attendees is incredible and we're really excited about the 16 companies selected for this year's trip.

"Each chosen company has shown us new and exciting cleantech solutions with huge potential and addressing a multitude of environmental challenges faced by society today."

Previous attendees have secured more than £550m investment to date. Of this, private sector investment is £269m, public investment is £39m and £249m comes from other sources such as share placing, international revenue and asset finance.

VIDEO: Clean and Cool Mission San Francisco 2015

Follow the progress of the 16 companies going on Twitter using #cleansf.